Sol-gel microextraction phases for sample preconcentration in chromatographic analysis

Aramid-wrapped CNT hybrid sol–gel sorbent for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

This work describes the preparation of an analytical microextraction sorbent using a simple and versatile sol–gel hybrid composite, i.e., aramid oligomers wrapping multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) covalently bonded to a porous silica network.

All-in-one solid-phase microextraction: Development of a selective solid-phase microextraction fiber assembly for the simultaneous and efficient extraction of analytes with different polarities

In the present work, for the first time, an all-in-one solid-phase microextraction technique was developed for the simultaneous and efficient extraction of analytes within a vast polarity range. A novel fiber assembly composed of two different steel components each coated with different coatings (polydimethylsiloxane and polyethylene glycol) in terms of polarity by sol-gel technology was employed for the extraction of model compounds of different polarity in a single run followed by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry. Effective parameters in the extraction step and gas chromatography with mass spectrometry analysis were optimized for all model compounds. The detection limits of the developed method for model compounds were below 0.2 ng/L. The repeatability and reproducibility of the proposed method, explained by relative standard deviation, varied between 7.22 and 9.15% and between 7.95 and 14.90 (n = 5), respectively. Results showed that, under random conditions, compared to separate extractions performed by two other differently end-coated components that had not been assembled as the final dual fiber, as two individual fibers; simultaneous, efficient and relatively selective extraction of all model compounds was obtained in a single run by the proposed all-in-one technique. Finally, the optimized procedure was applied to extraction and determination of the model compounds in spiked water samples.

SPME techniques for biomedical analysis

Biomedical analyses of drugs and their metabolites are important in new drug development, therapeutic drug monitoring and forensic toxicology. In these analyses, sample preparation is very important to isolate target compounds from complex biological matrices and markedly influences the reliability and accuracy of determination. SPME is a simple and convenient sample preparation technique that has enabled automation, miniaturization and high-throughput performance. This article focuses on current developments, their biomedical applications and future trends with emphasis on new extraction devices using selective polymer coating materials in novel SPME techniques, including fiber SPME, in-tube SPME and related techniques.

Stimulation and release from neurons via a dual capillary collection device interfaced to mass spectrometry

Neuropeptides are cell to cell signaling molecules that modulate a wide range of physiological processes. Neuropeptide release has been studied in sample sizes ranging from single cells and neuronal clusters, to defined brain nuclei and large brain regions. We have developed and optimized cell stimulation and collection approaches for the efficient measurement of neuropeptide release from neuronal samples using a dual capillary system. The defining feature is a capillary that contains octadecyl-modified silica nanoparticles on its inner wall to capture and extract releasates. This collection capillary is inserted into another capillary used to deliver solutions that chemically stimulate the cells, with solution flowing up the inner capillary to facilitate peptide collection. The efficiency of peptide collection was evaluated using six peptide standards mixed in physiological saline. The extracted peptides eluted from these capillaries were characterized via matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) with low femtomole detection limits. Using the capillary collection system in small custom-fabricated culturing chambers, individual cultured neurons and neuronal clusters from the model animal Aplysia californica were stimulated with distinct neuronal secretagogues and the releasates were collected and characterized using MALDI-TOF MS.

Novel sorption-based methodologies for static microextraction analysis: A review on SBSE and related techniques

Stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE) became a well-established analytical technique in the last years, for which hundreds of applications in almost all types of scientific fields can be found in the literature. In spite of the great enrichment capacity and outstanding performance to operate at the ultra-trace level, this remarkable static sorption-based method is already not quite effective for some complex systems, in particular to monitor the large group of polar organic compounds. This review aims to cover the state-of-the-art in SBSE, as well as supplying a discussion of the analytical potential of the novel adsorptive microextraction techniques, as complementary enrichment approaches, by explaining the main principles and providing technical know-how for the beginners.

Considerations on the application of miniaturized sample preparation approaches for the analysis of organic compounds in environmental matrices

The miniaturization and improvement of sample preparation is a challenge that has been fulfilled up to a point in many fields of analytical chemistry. Particularly, the hyphenation of microextraction with advanced analytical techniques has allowed the monitoring of target analytes in a vast variety of environmental samples. Several benefits can be obtained when miniaturized techniques such as solid-phase microextraction (SPME) or liquid-phase microextraction (LPME) are applied, specifically, their easiness, rapidity and capability to separate and pre-concentrate target analytes with a negligible consumption of organic solvents. In spite of the great acceptance that these green sample preparation techniques have in environmental research, their full implementation has not been achieved or even attempted in some relevant environmental matrices. In this work, a critical review of the applications of LPME and SPME techniques to isolate and pre-concentrate traces of organic pollutants is provided. In addition, the influence of the environmental matrix on the effectiveness of LPME and SPME for isolating the target organic pollutants is addressed. Finally, unsolved issues that may hinder the application of these techniques for the extraction of dissolved organic matter from environmental samples and some suggestions for developing novel and less selective enrichment and isolation procedures for natural organic matter on the basis of SPME and LPME are included.

Ionic liquids in microextraction techniques

The tremendous potential of room temperature ionic liquids as an alternative to environmentally harmful ordinary organic solvents is well recognized. Due to their unique properties, such as low volatility, tunable viscosity and miscibility, and electrolytic conductivity, ionic liquids have attracted extensive attention and gained popularity in many areas of analytical chemistry including modern sample preparation techniques. In this review the advantages and limitations of application of ionic liquids as solvents/sorbents for microextraction are critically discussed. Topics covered include solid-phase microextraction, single drop microextraction, dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction and hollow-fiber liquid-phase microextraction. The compatibility of the ionic liquid-based microextraction with different analytical techniques such as gas chromatography, high-performance liquid chromatography, electrothermal or flame atomic absorption spectrometry and some others is also discussed. Finally, the main practical applications on this topic are summarized.

Recent advances in column switching sample preparation in bioanalysis

Column switching techniques, using two or more stationary phase columns, are useful for trace enrichment and online automated sample preparation. Target fractions from the first column are transferred online to a second column with different properties for further separation. Column switching techniques can be used to determine the analytes in a complex matrix by direct sample injection or by simple sample treatment. Online column switching sample preparation is usually performed in combination with HPLC or capillary electrophoresis. SPE or turbulent flow chromatography using a cartridge column and in-tube solid-phase microextraction using a capillary column have been developed for convenient column switching sample preparation. Furthermore, various micro-/nano-sample preparation devices using new polymer-coating materials have been developed to improve extraction efficiency. This review describes current developments and future trends in novel column switching sample preparation in bioanalysis, focusing on innovative column switching techniques using new extraction devices and materials.